By Michael S. Hoey
Correspondent
City of Delavan Mayor Mel Nieuwenhuis announced he was not running for re- election in December and for the first time in 18 years, the office of mayor will not have an incumbent on the ballot on April 7.
Experience will likely determine who the next mayor is, as Alderman Ryan Schroeder and local businessman Tommy Purcell both have experience, but it comes in different forms.
Schroeder is 45, married, and has two sons. He has lived in the Delavan-Darien area his entire life. He said he’s a seventh-generation Delavan-Darien resident on his mother’s side and a proud Delavan-Darien High School graduate. Schroeder earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Administration and Public Policy from UW-Whitewater, and completed his certification of Professional Development in Public Affairs from the Robert LaFollette School of Public affairs, UW-Madison. He worked at Stock Lumber for 11 years and is currently a legislative aid for a state representative.
Purcell is 53, not married, and has one daughter. He was born and raised in Park Ridge near Chicago but moved to the Delavan-Darien area 31 years ago. He said he grew tired of the Chicago rat race and friends of his who lived in Lake Geneva encouraged him to move to the area. Purcell graduated from high school and has taken several automotive and business trade school night classes. He has owned Purcell’s Service and Purcell’s Towing in the past and has owned Hunter’s Automotive for 20 years. He said he is very proud that several former employees of his – Korey Kuehni, Tony Lynn, and Rick Nelson – have gone out on their own and been very successful. Purcell is also a studio, rock and jazz drummer.
Read the extensive election preview on Purcell and Schroeder in the March 12 Delavan Enterprise.
